The world-famous Zaanse Schans is visited by more than 2.5 million tourists every year. But what exactly is the Zaanse Schans? Is it an authentic village, an open-air museum or a tourist spot with reconstructions of what used to be?

The Zaanse Schans has existed since 1963 and was designed by architect Jaap Schipper as an ode to the Zaan architecture. Schipper saw that more and more authentic Zaan buildings were disappearing, because they had to make space for the growing industry and urban expansion. To save the buildings from demolition, he designed a reserve where houses and mills from the entire Zaan region were placed and restored. This photo exhibition shows you how the Zaanse Schans was created, and how spectacular it was to transport the Zaan buildings over land and water.

This exhibition was created courtesy of the Gemeentearchief Zaanstad, Stichting Zaanse Schans, erfgoedorganisatie Zaans Skoon, Dirk Brand, Hans Bax and Bob Fleumer Aerial Photography B.V. Westzaan.